One of the hassles with having a life when being involved in a major project like this beast is that you inevitably have to play catchup at some point. Schedules should be somewhat flexible, but I’m not allowed that flexibility in this project. Unfortunately this project relies on a bit of dynamics to create atmospheric effects as a rather integral part of the story. As I can’t really fudge such things, I’m stuck using having to experiment with a proper look while simultaneously trying to get my animation done.
It’s not exactly a positive experience, but I’m nearing the look I want for rain. I’ve completed multiple clouds which look pretty darn good. It’ll probably take a week of sneaking in snow experiments before I get the snowfall to where I want it. I’m concerned that it may look a bit out of place no matter what I do, but there’s not much to be done about that. I’ll create what I can and try to fit it to the style of the piece to the best of my abilities, and if the dynamics don’t look entirely right, we’ll they’ll be close.
It would have helped if I had actually learned dynamics when I took the class, but the truth is that looking back, I really haven’t been taught all that much at all. Most of what I’ve discovered that is really great has been done on my own which feels rather hollow. Self-learning and self-discovery are great, and often such lessons are learned better than others, but why am I paying a ridiculously high tuition to basically wake up every morning to be told I suck? Once again, I find myself back at the lack of motivation due to a lack of mentoring.
But back to the subject at hand, the ever exciting all-nighter. My strategy for pulling the such an event is pretty basic. Avoid caffeine during the day, then slowly dip into it throughout the night. Stand up and move around at regular intervals. An occasional *1-song* interlude of Guitar Hero is perfectly acceptable. Listen to music, avoid video. Music should have a good beat, and in the later hours of the morning, you should be able to dance to it. I like mashups because they keep my brain guessing, but I’ll occasionally dip into some retro 80’s glamslam crap or even the occasional movie soundtrack (usually Lord of the Rings or Star Wars). A shower around 3-4 am is usually a good plan. Avoid your other vices, as such things usually just lend themselves to tiring oneself out.
Most importantly of all, promise yourself you’ll never put this work off again, even though you know that you will come next time around.
It’s back to the grindstone now, and hopefully what I show in the morning isn’t too terrible.